Slide show: Birth control

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There are many ways to prevent yourself from getting pregnant. This slideshow will show you the most common methods of contraception.

Most methods of contraception that prevent pregnancy contain hormones. These are substances in the body that affect ovulation and menstruation. The hormones in the various methods of birth control prevent you from getting pregnant.

Condoms, femidoms and the copper IUD are contraceptives that do not contain hormones. Condoms and femidoms also protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Other methods of birth control do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Condom

A condom is made of very thin rubber. You place it on your penis before having sexual intercourse. This prevents sperm from entering the vagina. It is important to wear the condom the entire time that you are having sexual intercourse. Condoms can be bought at pharmacies, kiosks and supermarkets, as well as on the Internet.

Birth control pills

Birth control pills are pills tablets that you can take everyday or for 21 or 24 days. Then you take a break for four or seven days. This is when you have your menstrual period. After that, you begin a new pack of pills.

Birth control implant

A birth control implant is a plastic rod that is as small as a matchstick. It is inserted under the skin of your upper arm. A midwife or doctor will insert it. However first, you are given an anaesthetic in your arm.

A birth control implant cannot be seen. It can stay in place for up to three years.

Emergency contraception pills

Emergency contraception pills are tablets that you take after having unprotected sexual intercourse, for example if you forgot to use protection. This reduces the risk of you becoming pregnant. The tablets must be taken as soon as possible after having unprotected sexual intercourse. Some tablets are to be taken within three days and other are to be taken within five days. The earlier you take the emergency contraception pill, the lower the risk of you becoming pregnant.

Minipills

Hormonal IUD

A hormonal IUD is a few centimetres long and is made of plastic. The stem contains hormones. The IUD is inserted into the uterus by a midwife or doctor. The hormonal IUD can be left in place for three to five years.

Copper IUD

A copper IUD is made of plastic. The stem is wrapped in thin copper wire. The IUD influences the uterus and prevents the egg from being fertilized. It is inserted into the uterus by a midwife or doctor. The IUD can be left in place for five years.

Vaginal ring

A birth control vaginal ring is made of soft plastic and is about five centimetres in diameter. You need to see a midwife or doctor to get a vaginal ring. You insert the ring into your vagina yourself.

The vaginal ring is left in place for three weeks. You cannot feel that it’s there. Then you remove it. This is when you have your menstrual period. After one week, you insert a new vaginal ring.

Birth control patch

You attach a birth control patch to your skin.

You need to see a midwife or doctor to get a birth control patch. You can attach the patch to your skin yourself. The patch is left in place for one week, then you change to a new one. After three weeks, you take a break with no patch for one week. This is when you have your menstrual period.